How Long Does Your Favourite Drink Stay Fresh? A Shelf Life Guide for Wine, Cocktails, Cider & RTDs
Ever wondered how long that can of premixed cocktail or bottle of crisp white wine will actually stay fresh? Shelf life might not be the most exciting part of a drink’s journey—but when you work in beverage manufacturing, you quickly realise it’s one of the most important factors in delivering quality drinks.
At IDL, we work closely with winemakers and production teams to bring high-quality drinks to life—from spritzy RTDs (ready-to-drink cocktails) and small-batch spirits to craft ciders and classic wines. Behind every product is a careful balance between flavour, stability, and shelf life, influenced by factors like beverage packaging and storage conditions.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes guide to how long your favourite drinks last, and some expert tips on the best way to store premixed cocktails, wines, and other beverages to keep them tasting fresh longer.
What Is Shelf Life?
Shelf life refers to the period during which a beverage remains safe to drink and maintains its intended quality—aroma, taste, texture, carbonation, and appearance. It’s influenced by key factors such as:
Ingredients (alcohol, sugar, acidity, botanicals)
Packaging (glass, PET, pouch, can)
Processing (pasteurisation, filtration, carbonation)
Storage conditions (temperature, light, oxygen exposure)
From a marketing perspective, flavour sells—and that’s why we treat shelf life as a flavour conversation just as much as a safety one. How you store a drink can greatly affect how long it lasts and tastes great.
RTDs & Premixed Cocktails Shelf Life
Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails are booming, but their shelf life depends on a few critical factors:
Carbonation: Fizz fades over time, especially if stored warm or exposed to oxygen.
Flavours: Citrus and botanicals can oxidise or dull, impacting taste.
Alcohol content: Helps preserve the drink, but isn’t a cure-all.
Most high-quality RTDs in cans or glass bottles have a shelf life of 9 to 12 months. Glass and cans offer excellent oxygen barriers, especially when nitrogen-flushed or tunnel pasteurised to extend freshness.
Once opened, carbonated premixed cocktails should be consumed within 24–48 hours, and still cocktails within 3–4 days (kept refrigerated and sealed).
Cider Shelf Life and Storage
Cider is wonderfully fresh but also fragile, especially bright, juicy apple characters that define natural or cloudy styles.
Pasteurised or filtered ciders in cans or bottles generally last 12–18 months.
Natural or cloudy ciders have shorter shelf life unless carefully stabilised.
Once opened, drink within:
1–2 days for carbonated cider
3–5 days for still cider
Store cider cold, sealed, and upright to keep it tasting its best.
Wine Shelf Life & Storage Tips
Wine shelf life varies widely, depending on variety, alcohol level, packaging, and whether it’s been opened:
Unopened:
White & rosé wines are best consumed within 1–2 years for fresh styles.
Sparkling wines, especially crown-sealed or carbonated sparklings, keep well for 12–18 months.
Red wines: lighter reds last 2–3 years, while structured reds can last 5+ years with good cellaring.
Opened:
Sparkling wine: 1–2 days
White & rosé: 3–5 days
Red wine: 3–6 days
Boxed wine: Often 3–4 weeks after opening, thanks to airtight tap systems.
Pro tip from our winemakers: Oxygen is your friend during fermentation, but your enemy after bottling—it accelerates oxidation and reduces wine shelf life.
Premium Spirits Shelf Life
Shelf life gets simpler with premium spirits. High-proof spirits (vodka, whiskey, gin) have a virtually unlimited shelf life if unopened and stored properly—cool, dark, and dry.
Once opened:
Oxidation slowly alters flavour over 12–24 months.
Flavoured or lower ABV spirits may degrade faster.
Cream liqueurs or egg-based spirits usually last 6–12 months refrigerated.
What We Do at IDL to Ensure Quality and Shelf Life
Behind every “best before” label is a combination of lab work, sensory testing, and packaging decisions. At IDL, our production team:
Runs accelerated shelf life testing
Conducts microbial and stability checks
Trial-run different packaging to find the best barrier against oxygen and light
Aligns shelf life expectations with how customers store and consume their beverages
It’s a science-driven approach with a consumer-first mindset to maximise flavour retention.
Final Sip: Plan to Enjoy It
Shelf life is about more than just how long something lasts—it’s about when it tastes best. Whether it’s a freshly cracked RTD, a bold red wine, or a cocktail with punchy botanicals, flavour fades over time, so proper storage is key.
At IDL, we believe in drinks that hold their own from day one to day 365—and we build our process to make that possible. If you’re developing a new drink or just curious about the shelf life of what’s in your fridge, understanding these factors is essential.
Got questions or planning a product of your own? Reach out. We’re always happy to chat about flavour, beverage packaging, and how to extend shelf life, without sacrificing
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